The quick test could help identify those who mistakenly believe they have an allergy, researchers say. They developed the questions to help lessen the burden on NHS resources.

The team also hopes to help patients save money. Those who believe they have an allergy will often spend money on treatments without actually having it diagnosed, they say.

Currently people who suspect they have an allergy have blood tests and skin prick. These tests were compared with the questionnaire in 143 people.

4 steps to simple diagnosis

The majority of those answering 'no' to all 4 questions were found to not have an allergy.

The researchers said: "Most (87.5%) of those who gave negative responses to all the questions were non-atopic (had negative skin tests)."

Allergy UK's head of clinical services, Amena Warner, said: "There are clear Nice (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) guidelines on recommended testing using the appropriate allergy tests of either a specific IgE blood test or a skin prick test.

"Of course, as a national charity committed to helping improve the prompt diagnosis and treatment of allergic disease, Allergy UK welcomes new research and we await the outcomes of a larger study to validate the screening questionnaire."